. The CH-53K's maximum gross weight will be , which is increased over the CH-53E's . The CH-53K will keep approximately the same footprint as the CH-53E. To this end, it has redesigned composite sponsons that cut overall width for a narrower footprint, which is better for shipboard service. Operational history United States Marine Corps The U.S. Marine Corps received its first CH-53K simulator at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina on 1 May 2020. It is a Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD) built by Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky's parent company. On 22 April 2022, Lt. General Mark R. Wise, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, declared initial operational capability for the CH-53K. Israel In 2009, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) said it would evaluate the new variant after it flies. In August 2015, it formalized a requirement for the CH-53K, listing the type as a "very high priority" item to enable the service to perform missions only the platform is capable of. Israel's current CH-53 "Yasur" fleet is to remain operational until 2025. The CH-53K competed with the Boeing CH-47F Chinook for an order of approximately 20 helicopters to replace the CH-53 Yasur. In February 2021, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the CH-53K's selection. On 31 December 2021, it was announced that Israel had signed a deal to buy 12 CH-53Ks. Potential operators Germany In February 2018, Sikorsky signed an agreement valued at around €4 billion with Rheinmetall to team up for the German Air Force's CH-53G heavy lift helicopter replacement program, in which the CH-53K competed against the Boeing CH-47 Chinook. The German Federal Ministry of Defence was expected to issue an official request for information in late 2018, to award a contract in 2020, and for deliveries to begin in 2023 for an expected order of around 40 helicopters. On 29 September 2020, the German Ministry of Defense cancelled the "Schwerer Transporthubschrauber" (STH) heavy-lifting helicopter program, it having been judged to be too expensive; instead, the CH-53Gs are still to be replaced after reexamining the project. In 2022, Germany decided to procure the CH-47F Chinook instead, citing interoperability advantages with other European NATO countries - especially the Netherlands - as well as the lower unit cost compared to the CH-53K which would allow the purchase of more helicopters for the same budget. Japan Japan has reportedly shown interest in the CH-53K. Operators United States Marine